Media gallery
Seven awards presented at the 2015 Diversity Awards Dinner
Awards
Todd Davidson
Linda Riley and Caroline Wham
Denise Ellis
Brandon Pugh (center)
Mac Arnold & Plate Full O' Blues entertaining at the reception
(l-r) Kenneth Page and Brian Wildrick
Mac Arnold & Plate Full O' Blues entertaining at the reception
Mike Wilson, Furman
Peggy Baxter and Lillian Brock Fleming
Mac Arnold & Plate Full O' Blues entertaining at the reception
Jacki Martin, Riley Institute Associate Director, speaking with guests
Terrie Easley
Adela Mendoza (center)
Mac Arnold & Plate Full O' Blues entertaining at the reception
Furman President Elizabeth Davis and Charles Davis
Myra Ruiz, Anchor and Reporter for WYFF serving as the emcee
Myra Ruiz
Jacob Ehrmann thanking everyone for honoring his father at the dinner
Jacob Ehrmann
Reverend Darien Blue, Senior Pastor at Nicholtown Missionary Baptist Church and DLI graduate - Class XVIII, delivering the invocation.
Legacy Charter School is the recipient of the William T. Wylie VALUED Lives Award for School Excellence in Diversity. Fred Crawford, Executive Director of Legacy Charter School, accepting the award.
(l-r) Nika White, Fred Crawford and Juana Slade
RJ Rogers receiving Honorable Mention for Outstanding High School Student. RJ is a junior at Blue Ridge High School and a student leader in Bridges to a Brighter Future.
(l-r) Nika White, RJ Rogers and Juana Slade
Carlos Pineda receiving the Outstanding High School Student. Carlos is a junior at Mauldin High School and a student leader in Bridges to a Brighter Future.
(l-r) Nika White, Carlos Pineda and Juana Slade
Jonathan Kubakundimana, a junior at Furman University, receiving the Outstanding College Student Award.
(l-r) Nika White, Jonathan Kubakundimana and Juana Slade
Wendy Walden from Greenville Tech accepting an Honorable Mention Outstanding Nonprofit Organization Award.
(l-r) Nika White, Wendy Walden, Max Metcalf and Juana Slade
The Outstanding Nonprofit Award recipient is the United Way of Greenville County. Max Metcalf presenting the award to Ted Hendry, Rabbi Jeremy Master, Pastor Sean Dogan, Adela Mendoza, Cynthia Chance and Yvonne Reeder.
The recipient of the Outstanding Business Award was Denny's Corporation. John Miller, Jill Van Pelt, Wally Harris, Deanna Banister, Scott Melton, April Kelly-Drummond and Michelle Hunt accepting the award.
(l-r) Nika White, Joy Duer and Juana Slade. The recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to International Diversity Award is Joy Duer, a senior at Eastside High School.
Juan Johnson, Sr Fellow at the Riley Institute and owner of Juan Johnson Consulting and Facilitation, LLC, announcing the award recipient for the Calder D. Ehrmann Outstanding Individual Award.
The recipient is Serita Acker, Director of the Women in Science and Engineering Program at Clemson University.
Nika White presenting the award to Serita Acker
(l-r) Nika White, Serita Acker and Juana Slade
Juan Johnson making remarks about his great friend and great champion of diversity, Calder Ehrmann.
Juan Johnson and Glenda Ehrmann
Juan Johnson presenting framed set of photos of Calder from each of the previous Diversity Awards Dinners.
Glenda was joined by her two sons and daughter-in-law.
Herb Johnson, current Chief Diversity Officer at Michelin and DLI graduate - Class VII
Herb Johnson introducing the evening's guest speaker, Bill Barnet
Herb Johnson and Bill Barnet
Bill Barnet, CEO of Barnet Development Corporation and former Mayor of Spartanburg
Bill Barnet
Bill Barnet
Renee Romberger, Vice President of Community Health Policy and Strategy for Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, and DLI graduate - Class IX
Renee Romberger and Bill Barnet
Renee Romberger presenting Bill Barnet a certificate indicating a donation to the Northside Initiative was made in his name.
The 2015 Diversity Award Winners. Congratulations to all!
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
The eleventh annual Upstate Diversity Leadership Awards Dinner took place on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at the TD Convention Center in Greenville. Hosted by the Riley Institute and Greenville Chamber along with support from other Upstate chambers, this annual event honors individuals, schools, and organizations who exhibit leadership in promoting diversity in the Upstate.
The keynote speaker was Bill Barnet, CEO of Barnet Development Corporation and former mayor of Spartanburg, who delivered powerful remarks about the need for collaboration and education as we move forward into the future.
At this year’s event, Calder Ehrmann’s legacy was celebrated as was his unwavering commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the Upstate. As one of the event’s founders and namesake of the Calder D. Ehrmann Outstanding Individual award, it was a privilege to reflect on Calder’s work and an honor to remember his life, service and friendship.
Awards were presented to recognize five individuals, three organizations and one K-12 school for their outstanding achievement in promoting diversity in the Upstate.
2015 Award Winners:
- Calder D. Ehrmann Outstanding Individual: Serita Acker, director of Women in Science and Engineering Program, Clemson University
- Outstanding High School Student: Carlos Pineda, Mauldin High School
Honorable Mention, Outstanding High School Student category: R.J. Rogers, Blue Ridge High School - Outstanding College Student: Jonathan Kubakundimana, Furman University
- Outstanding Non-Profit Organization: United Way of Greenville County (accepted by Ted Hendry, Jeremy Master, Sean Dogan, Adela Mendoza, Cynthia Chance and Yvonne Reeder)
Honorable Mention, Outstanding Non-Profit Organization: Greenville Technical College - Outstanding Business: Denny’s Corporation (accepted by John Miller, Jill Van Pelt, Wally Harris, Deanna Banister, Scott Melton, April Kelly-Drummond, and Michelle Hunt)
- Outstanding Contribution to International Diversity: Joy Duer, Eastside High School
- K-12 School: William “Bill” T. Wylie Valued Lives Award for School Excellence in Diversity: Legacy Charter School (accepted by Fred Crawford)